Aloha State Games 6.21.15

After talking story with some running friends I decided to sign up at the last minute for the Aloha State Games.  I figured it would also be good practice for the hubby since he'll be running in the area for the Tin Man Triathlon next month.

Saturday was another busy day with the kids sports but I tried to stay off my feet and well hydrated as much as possible.  I didn't get enough sleep Saturday night but my body was feeling okay Sunday morning when we arrived at Kapiolani Park.  The race was a small race and as we lined up at the starting line the hubby pointed out that Yuuko N was indeed running the race.  She's the elite 41 year old athlete that wins our age group or the elite top 3 at every race.  We were laughing that I didn't stand a chance.  The sun was already high in the sky, shining bright, and the air was thick and humid. I didn't have any real plans except to run as fast as I could.  I elected not to carry any water since it was only a 10k and I didn't want anything weighing me down.  The gun went off after a few tries and we were off and running.

We headed out toward Diamond Head and the fast runners took off. I settled into a 9 minute pace and told myself to hang in there. It had been a long time since I trained in the area but I hoped that my afternoon Mililani miles would be sufficient.  As I reached the base of Diamond Head I told myself to climb hard and pass anyone that I could. I was able to pass about 4 people going up the hill and as I ran I tried to figure out who was in my age group (,y newest running strategy).  I ran at about a 9 minute pace for the first mile but slowed a bit in mile 2 and 3 where there was simply zero shade and the heat coming straight into my face.  At the half way point I was passed by two women runners. I knew that one was older than me so I didn't sweat it, but the 2nd was running at a crazy pace pushing a jogging stroller. I told myself not to worry because she was for sure YOUNGER!  As we reached Diamond Head again I was getting tired and hot and I told myself that I was an idiot for not carrying water.  I knew I needed to get a good drink at the water stop and so I drank a good two gulps at the last one before my ascend.  There was a woman in front of me and I was closing the gap.  She had shared that she was from Japan so I thought that although she looked young it was very possible that she was in my age group.  I knew I had to catch her.  I closed the gap going up the hill and when we reached the peak I decided I was going to give it everything that I could to pass her.  I passed her and two other men on the way down and at that point I told myself that I had to hold my lead and run strong the last half mile.  Believe me, it was crazy hot and it wasn't easy but I willed myself to keep on pushing and not go into cruise mode.  I had zero kick for the last .3 miles but lucky for me, neither did anyone else.

We waited afterwards for the award ceremony since the race was old school withe zero chip for timing and when the awards were announced for my AG I was stoked to learn that I had indeed taken 2nd place behind Yuuko N and that the woman I passed was indeed in my AG and had taken 3rd place.  It felt so good to know that I was finally figuring this racing thing out.  :)

And just like that this chic has a 3rd and a 2nd place in the span of 8 days.  Chee hoo!

Mango Days 5K for the win! 6.14.15

After over 60 races and many 4th place finishes I can finally say I won an individual award!  I took 3rd place in the 40-49 age group with a 26:02 gun time.  Not bad for an old lady!  :)

Dannika took 5th place in her 9-13 age group with a 35:06.  Being that she played an indoor soccer game followed by a track meet and got home around 7:30 the night before I think she did amazing!!! Mike paced her and tried to get her through the very hot and humid conditions and was able to get her to finish so strong at the end that I wasn't able to capture her finisher pic.  Bummer.

As for me, it was a pretty ironic race.  I had shared with my 1st grade summer school class on Friday that I had ran many races but have never been able to win. Then on Saturday, I was talking story with some of the Track peeps and again told them how I run races but never win.  One of them women who I talked to told me that I needed to figure out who was in my age group and make sure that I passed them on my run.   Little did I know that that piece of advice would be the best ever given to me.

Sunday morning rolled around and I struggled with the wake up. I told myself that I was so over early morning races but I somehow got ready, got Dannika ready, and we were out the door. We got to the Ala Moana Park with log time, found a great parking, got our timing chips and used the bathroom.  As usual Dannika was excited to be a part of the race.   We lined up at the start and she told me, "Bye mommy, see you later." The siren went off and I started to run.  This course through Sand Island and Ala Moana Beach Park is not the easiest. There are a lot of turns, narrow corridors, sand, cars, and other hazards.  I went out fast with the real racers but once I got through half of Sand Island settled into an 8:20 pace.  Being a little over weight (ok, a lot) has been tortuous for me and I had to work to maintain that pace.  All around me I was hearing runners breathe hard and I reminded myself that I should be breathing hard too.  You see, I am a real cruiser of a runner and I rarely put myself in that "breathing hard mode."  Anyhow, I told myself to "breathe hard" and  I rallied to keep up with the runners around me.  As usual I picked a couple of runners that I wanted to stay with and eventually pass and I was able to keep that going throughout the first mile.  At about 1.2 mile and the water stop there was a runner down on the ground and I slowed a bit.  This has been happening way too much on my races (every race) and it always rattles me.  I pushed on after that and tried to keep her out of my mind.  I stayed with my pack and passed a few of the runners I had targeted.  At the 2nd mile there was some bottle necking going on and I fought hard to weave and pass.  After we made the turn back into the park I told myself to start pushing and began to put myself to work.  At mile 2.5 I remembered my sage advice from yesterday and spotted a woman that looked like she could be my age.  I told myself that I had to dig deep and pass her so I pushed hard for the last 1/2 mile.  As I neared the finish line I glanced at the clock and was a little pissed that I was going to be over the 26 minute mark (although that was the time I was shooting for) and pushed as hard as I could to the finish.  I was incredibly winded which is not something I ever am at any race (not even marathons) and I was drenched in sweat.  I walked over the finishing times and was elated to see that I came in 3rd place, a mere 2 seconds faster than the woman I had passed (I was glad I could spot a 40 something woman).  I then waited by the finish line to get pictures of Dannika and Mike.

After the race was done we headed to Ryan's Grill for my first ever Awards Ceremony and I was so incredibly stoked when I saw the beautiful plaque I was going to win.  A part of my was paranoid thinking that they had made a mistake and I wasn't going to win the award so when they called my name I was crazy elated.

It was truly the #bestraceever